Terry Richardson on 2014 Defense

Submitted by Wee-Bey Brice on

Terry Richardson had some interesting things to say when speaking with GBW about the difference between this year and last year:

On Defensive scheme:

“We have a new scheme and a lot of in your face coverage"... “Last year we were a little bit conservative," he said. "We have talent... let’s use it. You put your best against our best and let’s ride out -- lets go get it. That is the mindset that our coaches have instilled in us for this season

On Roy Manning:

“This is his first year coaching corner, so we were a little nervous about him, but he is bringing it to us. Coach Manning is keeping us on top of our game. We are working hard. He is a trash talker, he doesn’t play around when it comes to teaching us. He told us I will take a pass interference call as long as you are aggressive. We like that.

On Team Chemistry:

“I will be honest with you... I have never felt that we were a complete team," Richardson admitted. "I felt like we were a team of solos. But this year it is not that way. The simple fact is we are tired of losing. Guys want to play and guys want to win, so we all came together. If you are a starter you are helping out the guy behind you -- not for him to take your spot, but because you really want him to succeed.

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BlueinLansing

August 8th, 2014 at 10:53 AM ^

nothing but a pre-season hype machine since 2007.  Need substance or I'll just remain the grumpy curmudgeon with my arms folded in the back ground.

 

I've heard this story before about 8 times, "its going to be different this year".

Joined: 09/01/2009

MGoPoints: 23520

maizenblue92

August 8th, 2014 at 10:55 AM ^

These quotes dont seem to be just fluff. They seem to be looking in the mirror and indentifying problems and actually trying to remedy them. This is evidenced by the replacement of Borges as the OC and the defensive scheme change. 

Joined: 01/01/2009

MGoPoints: 19710

alum96

August 8th, 2014 at 11:11 AM ^

Yeah he is not saying "no fly zone" or the "right to rush four" (cringe).  He said we were conservative last year, let's use our talent (which as a player you are going to say about your teammates), he noted Manning's aggressiveness, and he touched on the scheme changes and chemistry.  If he was saying I only see a Big 10 title for us and the top defense in the conference - that's the normal fluff.

I mean these are basic questions and he is answering them.  I didn't see fluff and I am all about wrinkling my nose up at fluff.

 

Joined: 04/28/2012

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MaximusBlue

August 8th, 2014 at 11:00 AM ^

The team chemistry thing keeps coming up whether it's DG, Frank, and now T.Rich. I'm so glad they focused on that this year because a divided team is going nowhere. Really speaks to the leadership last year or lack thereof. I don't know what it is but it's something special brewing with this team. All the negativity, scrutiny, doubt from fans and media alike, and just flat out disrespect is setting up for a great season. I fully expect to shock the world and win the B10.

Joined: 07/31/2012

MGoPoints: 9765

BlueinOK

August 8th, 2014 at 11:03 AM ^

After watching some preseason football last night and seeing these comments, I just want to watch some MICHIGAN FOOTBALL! I hope these three weeks fly by. 

Joined: 12/06/2009

MGoPoints: 15029

alum96

August 8th, 2014 at 11:05 AM ^

Manning is quickly become a favorite.  I too will happily take a 15 yard penalty (the max in CFB) every so often in return for actually having DBs in the same picture frame on the TV as opposing WRs.

I am sure there will be bumps in the road and a few over the top bombs against us, but there were over the top bombs against the conservative philiosophy as well.  I see you Indiana.

Joined: 04/28/2012

MGoPoints: 82422

UofM Die Hard …

August 8th, 2014 at 11:05 AM ^

on the chemistry thing...we all could see it last couple years.  That could be the biggest X factor this year.  Come together as a team and great things can happen.

 

Go Blue!

Joined: 03/10/2011

MGoPoints: 18283

Prince Lover

August 8th, 2014 at 11:07 AM ^

And everyone who says it's the same talk every year, I disagree. Because here he is specifically talking about last year's short comings (too conservative) and he's talking about lack of team chemistry, and how they're sick of all the negativity they've been living under(sick of losing). This talk along with the hype video the other day that touched on the oline's shortcomings is different because they are owning up to the disappointment of last year and they are (hopefully) learning from it and using it to fuel their fire. Didn't hear that after their Sugar Bowl winning season, or even before last year when they thought they were going to be terrific because they almost beat SC in the previous year's bowl game.

Joined: 07/01/2013

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Avon Barksdale

August 8th, 2014 at 11:07 AM ^

He's a RS Sophomore now. I still have high hopes for him being a contributor in a Michigan uniform. Whether it be in the slot or a special teams all world type of player, I think he will eventually succeed here.

Joined: 04/27/2013

MGoPoints: 12859

AA2Denver

August 8th, 2014 at 11:10 AM ^

Manning is turning out to be a solid hire for motivation, recruiting and his coaching versatility. People were questioning this hire after Montgomery left.

Joined: 02/01/2011

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alum96

August 8th, 2014 at 11:19 AM ^

They actually seem to be made of a very similar mold as best as I can tell.  It stinks that it took losing 1 to get the other - I wouldn't mind a staff full of these type of guys.  Manning has a chance to really look good here if the CBs step up; he had the best unit on defense last year (along with Smith) and if the CBs look a lot better this year he is going to be the golden child on the staff.

I have not heard much about Coach Smith, I'd be curious what kind of personality he has on the practice field. 

Joined: 04/28/2012

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Mr. Yost

August 8th, 2014 at 11:19 AM ^

...which is why I've been screaming for 1.5 years that we need a Manning for the offensive side of the ball.

Tyrone Wheatley and Mike Hart both fit the bill, IMO.

People groan because those are "Michigan Men," but it's not about that, that helps because they're passionate about Michigan, but they're young (especially Hart), energetic, passionate PEOPLE. That helps in recruiting and just with the guys ON the team.

IMO, you need that type of coach on both sides of the ball. Just one will do.

Would love to see either Wheatley or Hart take over next season just for this reason. You have to have a coach that can relate to players, that can understand what the guys are going through and can speak their language a little bit. And I'm not talking race, I'm talking about as young people...regardless of color. Having a a coach to bring the natural gap between players and coaches is important. Especially for 18-22 year olds.

Joined: 07/25/2011

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Qmatic

August 8th, 2014 at 11:17 AM ^

I love the aggressive coverage quote. I'll gladly take a 15 yd penalty once in a while if our corners are aggressive. To me that's much better than watching these past years of Floyd and Taylor giving 10 td cushions that are completed 6-7 times a game.

Joined: 01/09/2013

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nowicki2005

August 8th, 2014 at 11:40 AM ^

I feel like the B10 is pretty weak at WR. There ate solid ones but its not like there are a lot of burners or anything. we have a better secondary than the WR groups we will face. I'm sick of letting them make catches and not being aggressive.

Joined: 06/28/2011

MGoPoints: 3060

alum96

August 8th, 2014 at 11:48 AM ^

Agreed. Also not a great conf for QBs.  You look at the typical Pac 12 QB versus Big 10 and it looks like varsity vs JV.  I watched the Iowa QB in a few games (dont know his name) and he could not throw a 25 yard out pattern to the far sideline.  Yet we laid off his WRs like he had a Farve/Elway arm.  Grrr.

Joined: 04/28/2012

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LSAClassOf2000

August 8th, 2014 at 12:06 PM ^

Almost as important as the chemistry quote posted by the OP was the second part of it. Richardson continued...

"When you do that you raise the level of play throughout the whole team and it builds that camaraderie every day in training and summer workouts. We had team activities that were amazing -- TWO of them --and we never did that before so that was a good deal." 

Part of building chemistry on any team - sports or not - is challenging notions and encouraging people to get better for the benefit of the team. If you aren't doing this, then you will very quickly hit a wall and aside from spot exceptions, your performance will likely not break down that wall. Even the most talent collection of people will underperform if they are not working towards team success. It is great to hear that the players get that, because I felt - as other did - that this is part of what we were witnessing last year, that it was a very talented collection of players.

Joined: 01/07/2011

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Jeff09

August 8th, 2014 at 12:10 PM ^

I would love to see a list of comments from like 2008-now from the defensive side of the ball presented without the date made or who made it. I expect you would have a very hard time distinguishing who or when these upbeat comments were said (aside from certain catchphrases, eg right to rush four). We get this every year, so I'm not paying it any mind until we see a change on the field. Talk is cheap.

Joined: 06/25/2011

MGoPoints: 8460

ADSellers

August 8th, 2014 at 12:27 PM ^

PI is only a 15-yard penalty in college, so the risk of playing agressive is not as severe as in the NFL. I think on the whole, playing aggessive, even if it means taking a PI call now and then, is the most effective approach. 

Joined: 08/26/2013

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